The Oakland Press/VAUGHN GURGANIAN
Oakland Press reporter John Turk (center) talks with Waterford Regional Fire Department rescue personnel before jumping into the water for them to demonstrate their cold water suits and the techniques used for ice rescue on Maceday Lake in Waterford.

It was a nice winter day to jump in the lake. Well, at least that's what those at the Waterford Regional Fire Department thought.

With warming temperatures on the horizon in Oakland County, the fire officials want to make sure residents are safe out on the area's frozen lakes.

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A training -- normally held for firefighters in late January -- was held Wednesday, where officials demonstrated an ice rescue on Waterford's Maceday Lake and also offered safety and preparation techniques for those going out on the ice early.

With cadets, local officials and media in attendance, firefighters took volunteers 150 feet out on the ice for a demonstrated rescue, offered self-preservation techniques and explained how large bodies of water freeze.

"We just want to demonstrate to citizens the dangers of being out on the ice," said Capt. John Lyman before the demonstration. "And I hate to sound cliché, but there's really no ice out there that's totally safe."

Lyman said just when you think nothing will happen, something will.

"It takes a little pre-planning," said consultant Carl Holcomb. "One of the things I like to tell residents is: 'Make sure someone knows you're going out on the ice.'"

After the death of Holly resident Donald E. Thorpe, who fell through the ice in Groveland Township and a close call with thin ice on Scott Lake the week of Jan. 2, county officials warned that residents should still be extremely cautious.

Rescues demonstrated

Plenty of people watched Wednesday as reporters went with firefighters on the Maceday Lake boat launch, just east of Nelsey Road, to a designated jumping spot. They were wearing insulated warming suits used by rescuers, strapped into a rope harness at the shore and taken out on to the lake.

Firefighter Dave Jaroneski, who was one of the first responders when rescuers saved two men who fell through the ice in Scott Lake, said the insulated warming suits helped him stay calm during the rescue.

"In these suits, you feel pretty good," said Jaroneski. "You can't really go underwater with them, and they pretty much float for themselves."

Victims who've fallen through thin ice don't have the option of a warm, inches-thick suit.

"If something does happen like this, make sure that someone sees you ... scream, holler, whistle; whatever you can to get the ball rolling," said Holcomb after the demonstration.

The biggest tip Holcomb said he could give residents in the case that they do fall through the ice was to try to kick their feet so they could get up on the ice and "low-crawl out of that hole."

On the ice Wednesday, volunteers demonstrated several techniques in simulated scenarios, at times being used as a victim during an actual ice rescue.

During a rescue, the firefighter jumps into the water, grabs the victim from behind and wraps a padded rope around him or her.

Assisting firefighters on shore -- who have hold of a rope connected to the rescuing firefighters' suits -- will then pull the firefighter and the victim out of the water to safety.

Precautions

The cycles of warm temperatures mixed with cool nights that Oakland County has seen recently are not ideal for freezing ice, said Lyman. They prompted the Waterford Regional Fire Department to put on last week's demonstration; the first ever of its kind in Waterford.

"We usually do this training in late January," said Lyman. "But with the recent incidents that have happened where people have fallen through, we want people to be aware of all the possibilities."

Clear ice is the strongest, said Holcomb.

"It's formed by a long, hard freeze that involves consistent cold temperatures," he said.

There is also no uniformity in thickness of ice, he added.

Underwater springs or currents can wear thin spots on any body of water. Heavy winds can also chop at the water, causing the ice to break up and never fully freeze.

"If you see someone fall through the ice, call 911," said Lyman. "Get rescue teams responding right away."

Consider trying to reach out to victims with something long, like a pole or a tree branch, he said.